There are so many opportunities to invest in solar power around the World. But how do you decide where to invest? Which are the most attractive markets, both in terms of solar power fundamentals and the general business environment?

This report, Solar Power Opportunities - Europe Top 10, provides a comparative framework for analysing the potential and relative attractiveness of national-level solar markets in Europe and for assessing macro conditions, access to market, national energy policy, growth potential of renewable energy and infrastructure considerations.

The report provides both a regional summary of solar power trends across Europe, SWOT analyses for the top 10 most attractive actual and potential solar markets and detailed, individual country factsheets for Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria, the top 10 markets in Europe with current installed solar capacity.

INTRODUCTION

In 2012, total installed solar power capacity across Europe reached 69,491 megawatts from 28 countries, representing 6.45% of all power capacity (conventional + renewable) and 18.03% of total renewable power capacity in Europe. The largest solar market was Germany with 32,643 megawatts or 46.97% of total regional solar capacity.

Beyond this current installed capacity, there exist many opportunities for solar power developments across the region. This report assesses those opportunities from both a Solar Market and a Business Environment perspective, providing a comparative framework for analysing the potential and relative attractiveness of national-level solar markets in Europe and for assessing macro conditions, access to market, national energy policy, growth potential of renewable energy and infrastructure considerations.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

A comprehensive analysis of the state of the solar market in Europe at a regional and national level.

Detailed individual country factsheets for each of Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria.
Analysis of both the state of the regional and national solar market and the general business environment.

Comparisons to other solar markets regionally and worldwide and to other power sectors (Biomass and Waste, Geothermal, Hydroelectric and Wind) locally.

All markets are reviewed independently and relative to other markets across Europe.
Underpinned by a comprehensive model of the World's renewable markets, featuring 19,000 data points across 214 geographic entities.

HIGHLIGHTS

Out of the 42 countries in Europe, 28 have existing installed solar power capacity, which combined, represent 70.09% of solar power capacity installed worldwide. The top 10 markets based on installed solar capacity are Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria.

Looking beyond pure installed capacity though, the top 10 most attractive solar markets in Europe however are Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Greece, based on market attractiveness indices that range for the 10 countries from 93 - 100 with a median 95 (where 0 is least attractive and 100 is most attractive).

Most attractive indices are calculated using a MABA analysis employing over 100 variables reviewing the state of the local power market and macro and micro business operating conditions. Countries are then ranked comparative to all others worldwide.

At the regional level, Europe had a median market attractiveness index of 83 out of 100. This ranked Europe in 1st place amongst the 7 World regions (Africa, Americas, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Middle East, Oceania). The range of indices for all countries in Europe was 3 - 100, World indices range from 0 - 100).

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What are the regional capacity trends and policy developments in solar power across Europe?

Which markets across Europe have the most potential for development of solar power generation facilities?

Which potentially attractive solar markets in Europe also have a positive business environment conducive to investors?

What are the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the most attractive solar markets in Europe?

How relevant is solar power in markets with current installed solar capacity, compared to other solar markets worldwide and compared to other power sectors (e.g. conventional, hydro, wind etc) locally?

What is the outlook for solar power over the next 5 years?

What are the key policy drivers affecting both the development of solar and renewable power for each market?

ABOUT ATTRACTIVENESS

The relative attractiveness of a country's solar market can be viewed from both a market and business perspective.

Market Attractiveness considers the relative merits of the renewable and solar sectors in the top markets in a given market based on power capacity and generation trends and specific solar related variables. Attractive markets may or may not have existing installed solar capacity.

Business Attractiveness considers how safe, easy and practical it is to invest in the power market in a given market by considering generic macro-economic, access to market and operating environment issues.

Each country is rated on over 100 variables and assigned a Market Attractiveness and a Business Attractiveness index, ranked relative to all other countries worldwide.

The analysis employed in these factsheets is based on a comprehensive, regularly updated, quantitative and qualitative model with over 19,000 data points across 214 geographic entities.

The regional and individual country factsheets are packed with detailed analysis, charts and tables incorporating the latest available data on capacity and generation trends at the national level. Data coverage is from 1992 with outlooks through to 2017.

KEY REASONS TO PURCHASE THIS REPORT

Gain a clear understanding of the relative attractiveness of solar markets in Europe from both a Market and Business perspective.